Gary Cappella
Executive Director
Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
phone: (845)883-7162 ext. 5
e-mail: gary.capella@ny.nacdnet.net
Cory Ritz
Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District
Ashokan Watershed Project Manager
phone:(845) 688-3047
e-mail:critz@csumb.edu
Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District (UC SWCD)
The UC SWCD will:
- provide administrative management of technical projects and program support;
- lead and/or support watershed and stream geomorphic assessments;
- manage and lead stream corridor projects (from stream bank stabilization to large-scale restoration);
- provide engineering options to address stream management issues;
- provide access to USDA NRCS, WRDA, and state funding streams; and
- provide technical assistance to property owners and watershed municipalities in stream and riparian vegetation management.
UC SWCD will also provide for lead engineering services to support stream best management practices (BMPs). UC SWCD and NRCS have historically been integral components to the coordinated flood responses both in the NYC Watershed and throughout Ulster County, in coordination with FEMA/SEMO and Ulster County Emergency Management, by providing funding and engineering to stabilize exigency sites. The DEP-UC SWCD Agreement is for $4.46 million dollars for a five year period.
Specific UC SWCD program responsibilities include:
Participation in the Ashokan Watershed Advisory Council and associated Working Groups
- Lead role in Flooding and Erosion Working group
- Co-Development of Annual Action Plans
Participate in Stream Assessment and Stream Management Plan Development
- Lead assessment of at least 5 streams and associated riparian corridors for input into stream management planning
- Implement long-term monitoring of stream condition in the watershed
- Maintain a GIS database for the Program
- Participate in invasive species assessment and control
Design and Implement Stream BMPs
- Provide technical support to stream corridor projects funded by the Program Fund
- Design and construct at least one large-scale stream restoration project in the watershed (with a water quality improvement emphasis)
- Design and construct at least one project to reduce hydraulic constriction from an under-sized bridge or culvert
- Monitor all stream corridor projects funded by this Agreement
Administer the Streamside Assistance Program
- Develop/implement this NYC watershed-coordinated program to enhance riparian buffers in the Ashokan Watershed
- Technical Assistance – providing support to municipalities and landowners on stream and floodplain related problems.